The spirit of the people who settled in this area and over the years contributed to the growth of Newton County never ceases to amaze us.

 One of the pioneers of our county, who was an example of that spirit, was Jack Hays Morgan Sr.

 Mr. Morgan passed away March 3 at age 89, surrounded by his family.

  Jack Morgan was born in Newton County in 1919, and throughout his early life he worked jobs that molded him into someone who wanted to give back to this community and gave him the opportunity to grow into a successful businessman.

 He served his country during World War II in the Navy

 In 1961, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives and in 1970 became the chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners. During those eight years his many accomplishments included the paving of 142 miles of road and the start of garbage and ambulance service in the county.

 Mr. Morgan was also a man of deep faith; for 65 years he attended the First Methodist Church in Covington.

 Being a politician not everyone is going to like your decisions, but if you can earn an opponent’s respect, that is a major accomplishment.

 Roy Varner, who succeeded Morgan as Newton County chair, remembers that Jack was outspoken but fair.

 Former Covington mayor Sam Ramsey said, "I know of things he did for people that he would never want me to repeat."

 We thank Jack Morgan and his family for their time and effort in helping make Newton County a better place for all of us to live.